# Glandular Tissue & Lymphatic System ## Chapter 7: Glandular Tissue ### Summary This chapter details the endocrine and exocrine glands of the head and neck, their locations, secretions, functions, innervations, lymphatic drainage, and blood supply. Understanding these glands is crucial for dental professionals to identify disease processes. ### Key Information #### Gland Types - **Exocrine Gland:** Has a duct to empty secretions directly to the site of use (e.g., salivary glands). - **Endocrine Gland:** Ductless, secretes directly into the vascular system (e.g., thyroid gland). - Motor nerves regulate secretion flow; sensory nerves are also present. #### Lacrimal Glands - **Type:** Paired almond-shaped exocrine glands. - **Secretions:** Lacrimal fluid (tears) for lubricating the conjunctiva and eyeball. - **Location:** Lacrimal fossa of the frontal bone, just inside the lateral part of the supraorbital rim. - **Ducts:** Lacrimal ducts collect tears, which then pass to the lacrimal punctum, lacrimal sac, nasolacrimal duct, and finally drain into the inferior nasal meatus. - **Innervation:** Parasympathetic fibers from the greater petrosal nerve (branch of facial nerve), synapsing at the pterygopalatine ganglion. Postganglionic fibers reach the gland via maxillary branches of the trigeminal nerve and lacrimal nerve. - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Superficial parotid lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Lacrimal artery (branch of ophthalmic artery); venous return via superior ophthalmic vein. - **Pathology:** Dry eye syndrome (DES) or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) due to reduced lacrimal fluid production. #### Salivary Glands - **Function:** Produce saliva to lubricate and cleanse the oral cavity, aid digestion, and contribute to immune defense. - **Control:** Autonomic nervous system. - **Types:** Major (large, encapsulated, named ducts) and Minor (smaller, more numerous, unencapsulated, shorter unnamed ducts). Both are exocrine. ##### Major Salivary Glands 1. **Parotid Salivary Gland** - **Type:** Largest encapsulated major salivary gland. - **Secretions:** Serous type only (25% of total salivary volume). - **Location:** Parotid space, posterior to mandibular ramus, anterior and inferior to each ear, overlying the masseter muscle. - **Duct:** Parotid duct (Stensen duct) opens into the oral cavity opposite the maxillary second molar. - **Innervation:** Efferent (parasympathetic) fibers from the otic ganglion of the glossopharyngeal nerve (ninth cranial nerve) via the lesser petrosal nerve. Postganglionic fibers carried by the auriculotemporal nerve (mandibular division of trigeminal nerve). Facial nerve passes through but does not innervate. - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Deep parotid lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Transverse facial artery (branch of external carotid artery); venous return via retromandibular vein. - **Pathology:** Enlargement and tenderness with mumps (parotitis), most salivary gland cancers involve the parotid. 2. **Submandibular Salivary Gland** - **Type:** Second largest encapsulated major salivary gland. - **Secretions:** Mixed serous and mucous (60-65% of total salivary volume). - **Location:** Submandibular fossa in the submandibular space, inferior and posterior to the body of the mandible. - **Duct:** Submandibular duct (Wharton duct) opens at the sublingual caruncle in the floor of the mouth. - **Innervation:** Efferent (parasympathetic) fibers of the chorda tympani nerve (facial nerve) synapsing in the submandibular ganglion. Postganglionic fibers delivered by the lingual nerve (mandibular division of trigeminal nerve). - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Submandibular lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Glandular branches of the facial artery; venous return mainly by the facial vein. - **Pathology:** Most common site for salivary stones (sialoliths). 3. **Sublingual Salivary Gland** - **Type:** Smallest, most diffuse, and only unencapsulated major salivary gland. - **Secretions:** Mixed, predominately mucous (10% of total salivary volume). - **Location:** Sublingual fossa in the sublingual space at the floor of the mouth, deep to the sublingual fold, anterior to the submandibular gland. - **Ducts:** Ducts of Rivinus (8-20 small ducts) open along the sublingual fold; sometimes form a larger Bartholin duct opening at the sublingual caruncle. - **Innervation:** Same as submandibular gland: efferent (parasympathetic) fibers of the chorda tympani nerve (facial nerve) and submandibular ganglion. Postganglionic fibers delivered by the lingual nerve (mandibular division of trigeminal nerve). - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Submandibular lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Sublingual artery (off lingual artery); parallel venous return. ##### Minor Salivary Glands - **Type:** More numerous than major glands, unencapsulated. - **Secretions:** Mainly mucous, except von Ebner glands (serous only). - **Location:** Scattered throughout oral mucosa (buccal, labial, lingual, soft palate, posterior hard palate, floor of mouth). Von Ebner glands associated with circumvallate lingual papillae. - **Ducts:** Single, short ducts directly into the oral cavity. - **Innervation:** Preganglionic from facial nerve, postganglionic from various branches of the trigeminal nerve. - **Lymphatic Drainage & Blood Supply:** Various nodes and arteries depending on location. - **Pathology:** Mucocele (blockage of duct from trauma). #### Thyroid Gland - **Type:** Largest endocrine gland (ductless). - **Secretions:** Thyroxine (hormone) directly into the vascular system to stimulate metabolic rate. - **Location:** Anterolateral regions of the neck, inferior to the thyroid cartilage, at the junction of the larynx and trachea. - **Innervation:** Sympathetic nerves through cervical ganglia (do not control secretion; pituitary gland regulates hormone release). - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Superior deep cervical lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Superior and inferior thyroid arteries (possibly thyroid ima artery); venous return via superior, middle, and inferior thyroid veins. - **Pathology:** Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), loss of mobility indicating neoplastic growth. #### Parathyroid Glands - **Type:** Usually four small endocrine glands (ductless). - **Secretions:** Parathyroid hormone directly into the vascular system to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels. - **Location:** Adjacent to or within the thyroid gland on its posterior surface (not visible or palpable). - **Innervation:** Same as thyroid gland: sympathetic nerves through cervical ganglia. - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Superior deep cervical lymph nodes. - **Blood Supply:** Primarily inferior thyroid arteries (possibly anastomotic branch between inferior and superior thyroid arteries); venous return via superior, middle, and inferior thyroid veins. #### Thymus Gland - **Type:** Endocrine gland (ductless) and part of the immune system. - **Function:** T-cell lymphocytes mature here. Grows until puberty, then shrinks (involution). - **Location:** Thorax and anterior region of the base of the neck, inferior to the thyroid gland, superficial and lateral to the trachea, deep to the sternum. - **Innervation:** Branches of the vagus nerve (tenth cranial nerve) and cervical spinal nerves. - **Lymphatic Drainage:** Lymphatic system begins within the gland and terminates in the internal jugular vein (no afferent vessels). - **Blood Supply:** Inferior thyroid and internal thoracic arteries; venous return via veins in the posterior surface directly into brachiocephalic veins. - **Pathology:** Thymic rests (ectopic accessory thymic tissue). ## Chapter 10: Lymphatic System ### Summary This chapter covers the lymphatic system, its components (vessels, nodes, ducts, tonsils), and its role in fighting disease. It details the location, drainage patterns, and clinical significance of lymph nodes and tonsils in the head and neck. ### Key Information #### Lymphatic System Overview - **Components:** Vessels, nodes, ducts, tonsils. - **Function:** Part of the immune system, fights infection and cancer, drains tissue fluid (lymph). - **Lymphatic Vessels:** Parallel venous blood vessels, have one-way valves, drain lymph. - **Lymph Nodes:** Bean-shaped bodies in clusters, filter toxic products from lymph, contain lymphocytes (white blood cells), involved in lymphocyte production. - **Afferent vessels:** Lymph flows into the node. - **Efferent vessel:** Lymph flows out of the node at the hilus. - **Primary node (regional/master node):** First node lymph drains into from a particular region. - **Secondary node (central node):** Node that primary nodes drain into. - **Lymphatic Ducts:** Larger vessels formed by converging lymphatic vessels. - **Right lymphatic duct:** Drains right side of head and neck, right arm, and thorax into the junction of the right subclavian and right internal jugular veins. - **Thoracic duct:** Drains left side of head and neck, left arm, thorax, and entire lower half of the body into the junction of the left subclavian and left internal jugular veins. - **Tonsils:** Masses of lymphoid tissue near airway and food passages, contain lymphocytes, drain into superior deep cervical lymph nodes. #### Lymph Nodes of the Head ##### Superficial Lymph Nodes of the Head - **Occipital Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Posterior base of the head (occipital region). - **Drainage:** Scalp in the occipital region. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. - **Posterior Auricular, Anterior Auricular, and Superficial Parotid Lymph Nodes:** - **Posterior Auricular:** Posterior to each auricle and external acoustic meatus. - **Anterior Auricular:** Immediately anterior to each tragus. - **Superficial Parotid:** Superficial to each parotid salivary gland. - **Drainage:** External ear, lacrimal gland, adjacent scalp and face. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. - **Facial Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Along the facial vein. - **Subgroups:** Malar (infraorbital), Nasolabial (along nasolabial sulcus), Buccal (around labial commissure), Mandibular (superior to mandible, anterior to masseter). - **Drainage:** Skin and mucous membranes where located, drain superior to inferior. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes via submandibular nodes. ##### Deep Lymph Nodes of the Head - Cannot be palpated extraorally. - **Deep Parotid Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Deep within the parotid salivary gland. - **Drainage:** Middle ear, auditory tube, parotid salivary gland. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. - **Retropharyngeal Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Near deep parotid nodes, at the level of the atlas. - **Drainage:** Posterior palate, pharynx, paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. #### Cervical Lymph Nodes - Paired, unilaterally drain tissues (except submental nodes, which drain bilaterally). - Categorized into superficial and deep. - Medical community uses a 7-level classification (Node Levels I-VII). ##### Superficial Cervical Lymph Nodes - **Submental Lymph Nodes (Node Level I, Sublevel a):** - **Location:** Inferior to the chin, within the submental fascial space and submental triangle. - **Drainage:** Lower lip, chin, floor of mouth, apex of tongue, mandibular incisors with periodontium and gingiva. - **Empties into:** Submandibular nodes or directly into deep cervical nodes. - **Clinical Significance:** Risk for spread of cancers from floor of mouth, apex of tongue, mandibular anterior alveolar process, lower lip. - **Submandibular Lymph Nodes (Node Level I, Sublevel b):** - **Location:** Inferior border of the mandibular ramus, superficial to the submandibular salivary gland. - **Drainage:** Cheeks, upper lip, body of tongue, anterior hard palate, most teeth (except mandibular incisors and maxillary third molars), sublingual and submandibular salivary glands. Secondary nodes for submental and facial regions. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. - **Clinical Significance:** Risk for spread of cancers from oral cavity, anterior nasal cavity, midface structures, submandibular salivary gland. - **External Jugular Lymph Nodes (Superficial Cervical Nodes):** - **Location:** Along the external jugular vein, superficial to the SCM muscle. - **Drainage:** Secondary nodes for occipital, posterior auricular, anterior auricular, and superficial parotid nodes. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. - **Anterior Jugular Lymph Nodes (Anterior Cervical Nodes):** - **Location:** Along the anterior jugular vein, anterior to larynx, trachea, superficial to SCM muscle. - **Drainage:** Infrahyoid region of the neck. - **Empties into:** Deep cervical nodes. ##### Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes - **Location:** Along the internal jugular vein, deep to the SCM muscle, from skull base to root of neck. - Divided into superior and inferior based on omohyoid muscle crossing internal jugular vein. - **Node Level II (Superior one-third):** - **Location:** From digastric muscle superiorly to hyoid bone/carotid bifurcation inferiorly. - **Drainage:** Oral cavity, nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, larynx, parotid salivary gland. - **Jugulodigastric lymph node (tonsillar node):** Prominent node in this group, drains palatine tonsils. - **Node Level III (Middle one-third):** - **Location:** From hyoid bone/carotid bifurcation superiorly to cricothyroid notch/cricoid cartilage/omohyoid muscle inferiorly. - **Drainage:** Oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, laryngopharynx, larynx. - **Node Level IV (Inferior one-third):** - **Location:** From omohyoid muscle superiorly to clavicle inferiorly. - **Drainage:** Laryngopharynx, esophagus, larynx. - **Node Level V (Posterior cervical triangle):** - **Location:** From skull base at posterior SCM border to clavicle. - **Drainage:** Nasopharynx, oropharynx (Sublevel a), thyroid gland (Sublevel b). - **Node Level VI (Anterior compartment):** - **Location:** Inferior to hyoid bone, between medial margins of common carotid arteries. - **Drainage:** Thyroid gland, specific parts of larynx, esophagus. - **Superior Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Deep to SCM muscle, superior to omohyoid muscle crossing internal jugular vein. - **Drainage:** Posterior nasal cavity, posterior hard palate, soft palate, base of tongue (bilateral drainage), maxillary third molars, TMJ, esophagus, trachea, thyroid gland. Secondary nodes for most other head and neck nodes. - **Empties into:** Inferior deep cervical nodes or directly into jugular trunk. - **Inferior Deep Cervical Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Deep to SCM muscle, inferior to omohyoid muscle crossing internal jugular vein, extending into supraclavicular fossa. - **Drainage:** Posterior scalp and neck, superficial pectoral region, part of arm. Secondary nodes for superficial head nodes and superior deep cervical nodes. - **Jugulo-omohyoid lymph node:** Drains tongue and submental triangle; enlarged node can indicate tongue carcinoma. - **Empties into:** Jugular trunk (right) or thoracic duct (left). - **Clinical Significance:** Communicates with axillary lymph nodes, high risk for spread of breast cancer. - **Accessory Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Along the eleventh cranial (accessory) nerve. - **Drainage:** Scalp and neck regions. - **Empties into:** Supraclavicular nodes. - **Supraclavicular Lymph Nodes:** - **Location:** Superiorly along the clavicle. - **Drainage:** Lateral cervical triangles. - **Empties into:** Jugular trunks or directly into right lymphatic duct/thoracic duct. - **Clinical Significance:** Final endpoint of lymphatic drainage from entire body, high risk for spread of cancers from lungs, esophagus, stomach. #### Tonsils - **Palatine Tonsils:** - **Location:** Oral cavity, between anterior and posterior faucial pillars. - **Lingual Tonsil:** - **Location:** Dorsal surface of the base of the tongue. - **Pharyngeal Tonsil (Adenoids):** - **Location:** Midline of the posterior wall/roof of the nasopharynx. - **Tubal Tonsil:** - **Location:** Nasopharynx, posterior to openings of the auditory tube. - **Drainage:** All tonsils drain into the superior deep cervical lymph nodes, particularly affecting the jugulodigastric lymph node if infected. #### Clinical Considerations with Lymphatic System Pathology - **Lymphadenopathy:** Dramatic increase in size and change in consistency of lymphoid tissue due to infection or cancer. - **Infection:** Nodes are slightly firmer, extremely mobile, and tender. - **Cancer:** Nodes can become bony hard, fixed to surrounding tissue, usually not tender initially (pain is a late finding). - **Lymphadenitis:** Inflammation of a lymph node, common with microbial infections. - **Metastasis:** Spread of cancer from a primary site to a secondary site via lymph. - Involvement of primary nodes offers a better prognosis than secondary nodes or lymphatic ducts. - Head and neck cancers frequently spread to cervical lymph nodes (80% of cases). - Node metastasis is a significant prognostic factor for squamous cell carcinoma survival. ### Learning Objectives Tasks: - Define and pronounce key and anatomic terms. - Locate and identify glands and associated structures on diagrams, skulls, and patients. - Discuss glandular pathology. - Integrate understanding into clinical dental practice. - List and discuss lymphatic system components. - Locate and identify lymph nodes and tonsils on diagrams and patients. - Identify lymphatic drainage patterns for the head and neck. - Describe and discuss pathology of lymphoid tissue. - Compare the relationship of the lymphatic system to the overall function of the immune system.

Define photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

What is the formula for photosynthesis?

The formula for photosynthesis is $6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$.

What organelle is responsible for photosynthesis?

Chloroplast is the organelle responsible for photosynthesis.

What is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll is the primary pigment involved in photosynthesis.

What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

The two main stages of photosynthesis are the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle.

What occurs during the light-dependent reactions?

During the light-dependent reactions, sunlight is used to convert water and ADP into ATP and NADPH.

What occurs during the Calvin cycle?

During the Calvin cycle, ATP and NADPH are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Explain the role of water in photosynthesis.

Water serves as an electron donor in photosynthesis, providing the electrons needed for the light-dependent reactions.

What gas is produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis?

Oxygen is produced as a byproduct of photosynthesis.

Why is photosynthesis important for life on Earth?

Photosynthesis is important for life on Earth because it produces glucose, which is a vital energy source for living organisms, and it releases oxygen, which is necessary for respiration.